Thursday, 31 December 2009

//Intro
Well, 2009, what a year. To be honest it’s been a life changing year. In terms of life skills and education I have learnt more than I have ever learnt. Friends, I have made more friends that I have ever made, and I have defiantly become more connected with God. Instead of doing a full blog outlining this year, I have decided to do it in pictures of key events. These are defiantly not the only events that took place this year, or the only ones that capture my memory, they are however a sample of what happened this year. They are in no particular order. Hope you enjoy...

//Twyford FM aka Twyford Radio

This was my soul project for my time as Head Boy at Twyford, started in 2007 open evening with just a couple of hi-fi speakers it was my project and my legacy for Twyford C of E High School. It was a vision to get students who were talented by stage shy to take up a new and accessible media such as radio. This year the school gave the thumbs up to building a state of the art radio studio which would be managed by student. When the new facilities were opened, I felt my time at Twyford was complete.

//Twyford Fellowship Weekend

From the photo you can see this was the original door wars, 3 mattresses pilled up against a fellow "floors" door. However this was not that only reason I remembered this weekend. It was also a time of learning about God, and I certainly did. I realised that I had gone on a tangent to what God really wanted to do with me. Pyjama praise also made a re-appearance in the evening with two night’s worth of praising in PJs.

Property of www.tfg.org.uk

//New Church

Although the above is of a trip away with the Church and of Luke Sears, I did indeed find a new Church this year. It is situated in London, Acton and is called Acton Baptist Church. I was invited initially to re-configure their sound system but I felt at home there and so just stayed. It is a lovely warm environment with such lovely people, they are all really supportive and I know that they have been praying for me while I have been at Uni....Thank you =D

//Twyford

Obviously, having been there for 7 year Twyford has not only been a major part of this year, but indeed the decade. Leaving it was a sad time, I had made many friends there, and many memories still surround it. A special mention must go to Philip Baxter, having met Phil in the first couple of weeks at Twyford I have been friends with him for over 7 years now. He is now...studying Electronics at York...how weird is that? However, I wouldn’t change him for the world. Thank you to everyone who made it so special, all my friends and all my teachers...

//Family

Last year a new addition was made to our family. A new cousin. Eloise (top photo) turned 1 this year and she is lovely XD. The top photo was taken at our family picnic where my Aunt and Uncle came back from Australia for a bit. It was a lovely day. The second photo was taken on our family holiday in France this year. The final photo was taken in Wales....how about that Rhian! It was actually sunny on that day and we were doing a drive along the coast and stopped to take some photos.

//Small Groups

Another Christian section now, this year I had to say goodbye to my Small Group, Pittshanger Mixed...It was a sad occasion but I do love them all very much. They all rock...enough said.

//Will Popes BBQ

Just one of those events you seem to always remember...This was not only held on the day of the Britain’s got Talent final but it was also a day when Guy Gifford got locked in a rabbit cage, and I had to run around a nature reserve in nothing but boxers...ah good times.

//My 18th

I turned 18 on results day, so it was not only the day when I realised I had got into York...my first choice, but also the day I became a man (although many contest this FACT). My friends and I celebrated in style with a pub crawl around Ealing/Northfields. It ended with the original "drunk of the week"...Sam Ashcroft:

To be fair he had just got into Cambridge...

//Lake district

This was the ultimate test of man hood...6 guys, 8 days, the highest mountain in England. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on, just 6 friends drinking and walking. We had a real sense of achievement at the end.

//Soul Survivor

For those who do not know, Soul Survivor is a big Christian camp with seminars and such like. It really opened my eyes to what God can do and I finally truly understood the band I had been wearing for 3 years...PUSH. Pray Until Something Happens.

//Canoeing

The final holiday of the summer was canoeing down the river Wye in Hereford. As you can see from the photo Ed and Chris joined my family and I (and family friends) in a three day expedition down the river. It was a really nice trip and one last chance to see my friends before I headed off to Uni...

//University

Obviously this was the one major life changing experience which has only just started. Most of you will know most of the happenings of my Uni life so far as I have been writing blogs all term. However I must say I have met some amazing people and some I am sure will be friends for life....

//Conclusion
So this year has had ups...and downs. It has been one for new friendships and old friendships, one of discovery and realisation. However, one this I can be sure of, God has been good, surprising and never changing.

So to everyone, I wish you a very happy new year. May God bless you all and keep you and your families safe.

Sunday, 13 December 2009

//Intro
Arrgghh, im so sorry for not doing a blog last week. I suddenly lost all sleep/time and the week just continued and a blog was not done. I’m really sorry, so to make up...I shall post a cool picture at the end....(I couldn’t think of anything better lol). So this is my first blog as the official “Webmaster”...more on that later. This week, updates on the radio, Christian life, poll, Christmas....the usual. Read on, comment...

//Poll
So last week I released a poll asking whether you, my lovely readers, wanted me to change the background and layout of the blog. The results are in:

In 3rd place was to keep the orange
In 2nd place was to try a new layout

Which means, back to black we go...for now. You have spoken and change has happened.

So this week’s poll is, Has Christmas lost its true meaning. Please vote and then comment on what you believe Christmas is really about, why you like it ect.

//Volume
Volume for those of you who are in the dark, are Vanbrugh’s own events, and this weekend (Saturday to be precise) held “White Christmas”. It was a cheesy filled evening with £1.50 snake bites (half cider, half beer, shot of ribena) and the JCRC (Junior Common Room Committee) election results.

As you should know (from previous blogs), I had gone of a poster spree making posters for several campaigns for these elections.

On Tuesday there was a Christmas ball. Unfortunatly I had to white shirt (due to a certain Laura Trewick spilling red VK over it in freshers week), however Jono went man shopping for me and bought a shirt...so all was good.

We had an amazing 3 course meal, and a massive party after. All in all it was an amazing evening:

//Course
After last week’s sections on how lectures were interesting, I owe an apology to Emily Goodall (one of 5 girls on the course), who made an amazing skittle decoration for me to put into my blog and I (being a stupid person) forgot. So here, just for you Emily, is the skittles:

Also I have been set my first “lab report” and it is due in before Christmas. This simply sucks...but hey lol.

In better news, next terms timetable is out. Those of you who are at York and know me, know that I have 9:15 starts every morning without fail. Luckily next term I get a lie in...on MONDAYS!!! WoOoO *dances around room*.

//Radio
Last week I had my radio training session, it included learning how to operate a sound mixing desk ( =] ) and how to use the programs they have to make a smooth show. I also had to sign a contact saying that I would not express homophobic, racist, or political view points....there goes my idea for the racist, homophobic and political show featuring David Lindley..(*joke*).

Hopefully you will be hearing from me on the airwaves pretty soon....www.ury.org.uk

//Christian life
Seeing as it has been 2 weeks since I updated you all...God has been doing some really cool stuff.

A couple of Tuesdays ago i was contacted by Megan (Vanbrugh CU leader) saying that I had been nominated for the roles of PA Co-ordinator for the main CU and Vanbrugh Open Small Group Leader (OSGL). As you know I have been praying for patience and a purpose in my walk with God for being here at Uni. Suddenly it was answered in a massive way. I prayed about these positions and felt that God wanted me to go ahead with them. So I have accepted.

So what exactly is an “Open Small Group Leader?” Basically it is my job to lead a discussion group for people who are exploring faith or wanting to know a bit more about why Christians believe what they do. Its quite a scary job, but at the same very rewarding as it will both strengthen my faith and help others learn about it.

I was reading the bible and met the book of Jeremiah. In Chapter 4 Verse 3 it says:
“Plough your unploughed fields and don’t plant seeds among thorns...”

I was pondering over this verse, and after a discussion with Geoff (see previous blogs), understood that in order to share the gospel (plant the seeds) you first have to show Gods love to people, pray for them. I feel that that is really what the first 7/8 weeks of my Uni life were doing. I was ploughing the fields. Now it is time to plant the seeds.

Following on from this, on Thursday Vanbrugh CU held a “Food for Thought” evening. It featured lots of toasties, several Nooma DVDs (Short sermons) and alot of interesting discussions. Alot of people turned up and it was the first event I was running as PA-Coordinator. It was really good to see the college supporting what the CU does. I think next year God is really going to work within our college with the new JCRC and the support of those higher up in the college. God is good.

//Person of the week
This section has been drawing alot of attention from readers. Alot of people wait for weeks to become the “Person of the week”...but this week....I had to give it one person....and one person alone.

This week’s person of the week is no other than...The New Chair Of Vanbrugh... Tahir Shetty!

*note, he did bug me to do this...*end note*

So Tahir, what can I say. He is obviously the new Chair of Vanbrugh, he studies politics and is generally a very “Sound” (Kallum Taylor Copyright) guy. He is going to do an amazing job as chair next year, and he supports the Vanbrugh CU (and long may it continue). He also reads my blog, apparently, and has alot of ideas for the website which I have to design over Christmas lol.

So that’s it, Tahir Shetty, happy now?

I’m rather hoping he starts his own blog for the new Vanbrugh website....

//Christmas
So it is now less than two weeks away from the big day. Last week I received a package from home from Mummy, Daddy and Grace (I would write Gracey to fit with the whole theme but she doesn’t like that so I won’t). In these packages I got:
-Not just one, but two...yes two advent calendars
-Lots of food, including a lovely cake made by Mummy Lindley. The floor says thank you XD
-A V-shaped pillow (headrest style thing)
-Some Christmas Cards including an amazing one made by Grace

-One Russian hat, which Dad brought back from Russia

So what does this have to do with Christmas...well nothing really apart from the two advent calendars.
In the last blog I requested some audience participation...it sort of worked.

I also thought I should mention the amazing Christmas card made by Ella:

I asked that you lovely people would comment with the best present you had ever received. Here is the list I have got:

-Ray Hutchinson (explorer Scout Leader) - best Christmas present I have ever got was in 2003 when my wonderful girlfriend got me the hornby train set I never got as a kid, I can’t wait to buy my own place where I can set it up in my loft.

- Laura'best next door but one neighbour'Trewick *She made me write that* - to climb the Sydney bridge

-Emily Murdock - most amazing Christmas present (so far)? Hmmm....that would have to be what I'm getting this Christmas - a stage standard full size electric piano! But apart from that, probably books. And an Oxfammy thing that paid for a classes textbooks. That was cool. And now I'm rambling :-D

Those were the responses posted...so far. Lets have some more please XD

//Conclusion
So once again, I’m sorry that there was no blog last week...next week I want to do a summary of the whole term, the highs and lows and stuff. And this time next week I will be back home with family...and my lab report will be done XD.

Monday, 30 November 2009

//Intro
So this is the start of my advent blog (seeing as today is the first Sunday in advent). The run up to Christmas has begun, shops are having Christmas music playing (although that started in July) and people are starting to slack of work.. Have a look at the ADVENT section, this is a section which requires you, my readers to participate to make it work for next week.... This week there is no real feature, just stuff that has happened and pictures and videos...Read on XD

//Poll
So as you know last week I started a “poll” on my blog. The poll topic was “Do you like prefer the new layout”. Unfortunately I did not realise that that was not clear enough as there was no option for “They both suck”. Therefore, although the poll showed that most of your preferred the new layout....it does not represent whether you want me to keep it. Therefore I have decided that I shall keep it until a better one becomes available and re-open the poll to a more suitable question...Please vote on the right hand side.

//Course
So as previously mention I had a mid-term test last week, it went quite well. I managed to scrape a 72% which in University terms is a 1st. However, it was multiple choice and it did highlight that I need to do alot more maths revision...oh the joys.

Also last week I was set my first assignment, to program a computer game in the wonderful language of C. So far my program makes a stick man move...this could be fun.

I managed to burn my nose on a computer chip in labs this week, it really hurt and I now look like Rudolf...at least Christmas is soon.

The photos below show how exciting University lectures can really be:

//Ents and others
Last week I posted a poster which I designed for my block mates who are going for Ent reps. Soon after posting this, I was asked why I was not going for press and publicity. The simple reason I have not applied for this role is it takes alot of work and needs a team of up to 4. Instead, last minute, I decided to go for “WebMaster”. That’s correct, I will (vote dependant) become the master of the web. Basically it means I have to update the Vanbrugh JCRC (Junior Common Room Committee) Website.

Here is a copy of my poster:

Also here is another poster I made for sport reps:

And finally, Susana (neighbour) and Catherine (Drunken person of the week last week) are going for Environmental Reps...Vote for them XD

//Christian Life
God is amazing....end of.

//Christian Life mark 2
Well because although that does sum up what I think of God, it does not sum up what has gone on this week with God, and alot has happened.

As mentioned last week, I was asked to organise a worship band for Vanbrugh CU. I was planning to play flute as Emily plays keys. As most of you know I have not played flute in a worship band for nearly 5 years. I was quite nervous, but I gave it over to God. The worship session kicked off and I cannot even remember what happened apart from that God was really present, and all my fears were taken away.

Secondly as you will know (if you have been reading my blogs) I have been praying for patience and knowledge of what God has planned for me here. I think I have found part of the answer. In our prayer group (Consisting of Ella, Jono and myself and now Rhian (see person of the week)), we were praying for this and it came about that God had already been using me, just in small ways that I was to blind to see. People’s attitudes have slowly changed towards the concept of God and their language has changed accordingly.

Another thing to mention in the Christian section is that we have seen some amazing answers to prayers, most very unexpected. I won’t go into detail because some is quite personal and some is just too long and weird to explain....but God works!

In other news, I went along to a worship workshop led by the main CU. I played keys and did a bit of PA. Hopefully I will be able to serve in that way.

//Ukulele section
This week I decided to bring the blog out into the real world. Vanbrugh holds an open mic night down in the JCR (Junior Common Room) on Sunday evenings. So I got my good friend Hilana to sing “Somewhere over the rainbow” while I played Uke XD, we may have messed up and Jono may think it was my fault but it was good fun, and I plan to do something similar in the future. Here is a video...thanks to Jono for the appalling filming...ha:

//Person of the week
This week, another girl features. Just before I start this week’s feature, I have to mention another person...Geoff Lumley. Geoff is my Secondary School’s CU leader and is following this blog. Last week I received an email from him complaining that I was two timing girls....I didn’t really understand until I realised he was referring to the blog...it’s not my fault if I make friends who are girls....I rest my case.

So this week’s featured person is Rhian. Her name does have an accent on the “a” but I cannot work out how to put one in on BlogSpot, so apologies.

I met Rhian in person at the worship meeting that I held for Vanbrugh CU. She is a singer. We soon got chatting and it became very apparent that she is most defiantly, undeniably...Welsh!

The CU was organising an event at a local gig venue called The Duchess. It was a night of funk and testimonies and Rhian needed someone to go with her, so I decided to go along. It was a great evening and I learnt alot about God and got some answers to prayer (as mentioned above).

Rhian has now joined our prayer triplet to make it a prayer quadruplet.

//Updates
No real updates this week.

//Advent
Because during this week, advent will start I have decided to try something which involves you...my wonderful readers. On next week's post I will have a section numbered from December the 1st up to the 6th. On each of these numbers I would like to post the best Christmas present you have ever had on it. If you want your name and thing to be put on this blog please post a comment or email me (david.lindley@gmail.com). If it goes well then we will try again next week =D...wooo for audience participation.

//Prayer Requests
-My assignments coming up
-Thanking God in general
-For friends who have family ill
-For God to continue to show his amazing-ness

//Conclusion
So that it for this week, thanks for reading. Remember God is amazing, keep strong in faith and stay in touch with me. Only 3 weeks till I return to London...wooop

God bless
Love you all
David
Xxxx

//Warning don’t get drunk mark 3

Old Photo from fresher’s fortnight...but I did promise to put it up mahahaha

Monday, 23 November 2009

//Intro
Well as you can see, the blog design has changed. Because this is communally read though, I want your views on the new layout. On the right hand side of the blog there is a poll. Please could you vote on whether you like the new layout. Thanks =D.

//Ent Reps
The time has come around when the University starts to get people to campaign for roles around the student union.

A group of 6 of my friends decided to go for Ent Reps (Entertainment Reps) for Vanbrugh college. So earlier this week I was given the task of designing a poster for them. This was the finished product:

They will do an awesome job, and so if you’re in Vanbrugh and reading this...I recommend you vote for them!

//Saturday are super
Not getting up, eating lots of food and procrastinating....that defines the word Saturday.

Having 9:15 starts every day means that when I have the opportunity to sleep in, It is used to the MAX!

Every Saturday I also try to use up the food in my fridge that is about to go off...or in some cases already has. So this weeks breakfast was a full English...with bacon one day off its sell by date, mushrooms which were brown and bread that deserved to die...but you know what it was tasty and because I want to prove to you that I actually ate it, i took some photos of the progression of eating:

As well as eating the mouldy food in my fridge I also went sightseeing with Ella (see previous blogs). We walked around the city walls and went into York Minster...for free! (oh the joys of having a student card).

Looks like Jesus is "repping" York

Ella also decided that after having an amazing Hog roast for lunch...a ice cream in November was the best idea ever....

So in conclusion to my Saturday....ice-creams in November are defiantly a win, fry ups are also a win, and procrastination in general is a win!

//Course
This upcoming week I have got a “mid-term test”, and in a usual test fashion I have left it until the last minuet to revise but hey. However, every cloud has a silver lining and this is no exception. I found out that the test is:
-Online
-Multiple choice
-Allows calculators

So therefore my chances of passing have increased by nearly 100%....at least I hope so.

This week I had probably the best lecture ever. In Digital Electronics the lecturer brought in a wheel chair... no-one really had any idea what it was for until 10 minuets until the end of the lecture where he proceeded to sit in said wheel chair and drive it....with his head. That’s right folk...no controls just movement of his head.

He designed it for people who have spinal damage and it actually works.

//Christian life
As mentioned in last weeks blog, this Saturday I had a worship band practice with people from Vanbrugh college. We met up at the provosts garage for a 2 hour session. It went quite well and for the first time in 4 years I am playing flute in a worship band....prayers defiantly needed for this though lol.

God is still teaching me patience and I am at times struggling to trust him with all issues in my life.

//Ukulele Section
This week Laura is the guest artist, and we sang "I Kissed a Girl". I appologise for my appauling vocals....

//Updates
-Last week I forgot to reference the pictures of the washing in the bath to Richard. I apologise, they were his pictures not mine.
-Radio: Jono and I had our radio training session and that was quite good. We have now been put on the list for demo sessions. Unfortunately this list is 80+ people strong, meaning we won’t actually get our demo slot until mid spring term...ouch *Update* While writing this several slots became available, therefore we have now got our demo slot on the 7th December *end of update*

//Person of the week
I have decided that this week I shall introduce one of my friends from back down South...William Pope. I must stress that he did ask for his own section and usually I would not give in to his demands but he was holding a kitchen knife up to the computer screen and was about to mutilate an orange....

So William Harris Pope. He is amazingly musical, although he does not play the Ukulele *Shun the unbeliever*. He enjoys drinking and sleeping and playing COD4, although I know believe he plays COD4 2? He is likely to become the next local hobo of Bath due to failing his degree. In all seriousness though he is truly butters.

//The camera does not lie
This is what happens when you leave your camera in the hands of those who you apparently “trust”. What they did not realise is that I was planning to post them on the blog...mahhahha

Thanks for that Jonny

//Prayer Requests
-Three friends I know who have family members ill
-Increased patience
-Increased motivation

//Conclusion
So there we go, we are into the final month of term one. I am missing people alot, am looking forwards to Christmas. Keep checking the blog for updates.